Hillary Clinton's closest aide Huma Abedin wept openly in the street on Friday as she returned to the place where the Democratic candidate's campaign was fought - and lost.

Abedin looked like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders as she visited the campaign headquarters of the failed presidential candidate – after her own stumbles and her husband's sexting habits helped contribute to Clinton's historic defeat.

Abedin ventured out of her Manhattan apartment and went to the office three days after President-elect Donald Trump shocked the world by defeating Clinton.

She approached the tall building with stunning views which had until Tuesday been filled with staff an volunteers carrying a bag and a purse.

The pain and emotion of the situation were clearly visible on the face of the long-time loyalist, despite the dark large-frame sunglasses that covered her eyes.

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Breaking down: Huma Abedin was crying as she walked to the Clinton campaign headquarters, carrying the access credential for the Brooklyn offices

Sad day: Briefings from inside the Clinton camp made clear that none of the top aides saw the defeat coming, helping explain Abedin's demeanor as she went back to her office

The dream is over: Abedin, who has only ever worked for Hillary Clinton, was back at the campaign headquarters for the first time. She was its vice-chair and seen as the most important of her personal retinue

Emotional: The first trip back to the campaign headquarters in ultra-liberal Brooklyn from her Manhattan duplex proved to be an tearful journey for Abedin.

Key message: Abedin appeared to start weeping after she read a message on her mobile phone as she made her way to the Brooklyn headquarters

At one point Abedin's lip quivered and she wiped her eyes as she took the emotional journey back to work.

It isn't known how long the Clinton campaign office will remain open, or how long a lease the candidate signed. Clinton herself was spotted taking a walk Thursday when a supporter snapped a selfie with the smiling candidate.

Abedin has many reasons to take the loss hard. She has been a constant presence at Clinton's side, having worked in her office when she was first lady, served as 'body woman' accompanying her while Clinton was a senator, and having followed her to the State Department.

It has been repeatedly reported that Clinton considers her to be like a surrogate daughter. Other Clinton loyalists and believers were visibly shaken during the candidate's farewell speech on Wednesday.

Abedin took on more senior roles with Clinton at State and at the campaign.

In hacked emails posted on WikiLeaks, she emerges as Clinton's ultimate gatekeeper, weighing in about top fundraisers and dignitaries seeking face-time with the former secretary of state, while also serving as a conduit of information to the Clinton Foundation.

Abedin was suddenly and unexpectedly out of the Clinton bubble after FBI Director James Comey announced just 11 days before the election that the bureau was taking another look at Clinton's emails.

It soon was revealed that the FBI had come across thousands of additional emails related to Clinton while investigating the laptop of disgraced ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner, who is married to Abedin, though the two are now estranged.

As DailyMail.com reported, Weiner, who quit Congress after a sexting scandal, allegedly sent inappropriate messages to an underage girl.

Wiping away the tears: Huma Abedin was on her way back to the Brooklyn headquarters where she was the pivotal figure around Clinton when she broke down

Long walk: The journey from her Manhattan duplex to the Brooklyn headquarters seemed to be emotionally fraught

Marked contrast: Huma Abedin's boss seemed to have the weight of the campaign lifted from her shoulders as she posed with a hiker near her Chappaqua home

All over: Her pervert ex-husband Anthony Weiner's serial sexting has cost Abedin her marriage and is being blamed for bringing about the demise of her boss's campaign. She is now splitting childcare with his mother

Mourning after: Abedin and Weiner were last seen together on the morning of DailyMail.com's revelation the pervert had a sexting 'relationship' with a 15-year-old. On Wednesday she made a calmer return to the Brooklyn HQ with John Podesta

Holding back the tears: Huma Abedin had appeared close to breaking down as she left Hillary Clinton's concession speech on Wednesday

After the FBI bombshell, Abedin was suddenly off Clinton's campaign plane for several days, missing high-profile campaign events in swing states with Jennifer Lopez, March Anthony, Beyonce, and Jay Z.

But she re-emerged to hold a Washington D.C. fundraiser with Vogue editor Anna Wintour on the Friday before the election where she was photographed smiling.

Then, just two days before the election, Comey announced that the FBI had found nothing to change its earlier conclusion not to prosecute Clinton – essentially leaving her off the hook, as far as the investigation is concerned.

It was Comey 'who we think may have cost us the election,' campaign chair John Podesta said on a post-election campaign conference call, The Hill reported.

Abedin was back on the plane for Clinton's final flights, which had the feel of a victory lap as singer Jon Bon Jovi hitched a ride between campaign events and Abedin laughed at the front of the plane.

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Rehab: Weiner has finally checked into this facility in Tennessee in an attempt to deal with his sexting addiction

Serial sexter: Pervert Anthony Weiner's marriage ended when he sexted an image of himself with his son beside him. He had been caught sexting first in 2011 - and in September his sexts to a 15-year-old were revealed by DailyMail.com, leading to the FBI investigation which exploded a bomb under the Clinton campaign in the closing weeks of the presidential race

It isn't known what's in store for the longtime Clinton aide now that her boss isn't going to the White House.

While at the State Department Abedin also was able to get special dispensation to also work part-time for the Clinton-linked firm Teneo as well as the foundation following the birth of her son Jordan, now four.

Campaign employment typically ends immediately after a defeat, as campaign work to pay off vendors and close up shop.

Adding to family difficulties, Weiner has been made virtually unemployable by his sexting scandal. He is currently in a rehab facility that treats people with sexual addictions.

He left a job at a PR firm after a revolt from fellow partners at the firm, although he has provided televised commentary on politics in New York.

Abedin's emotional state may not have been helped by the sight of messages for her failed boss left outside the Brooklyn headquarters.

'Thank you Hillary' and 'We Love Hillary', are just a few of the phrases that were written in colorful chalk outside of her former headquarters.

Hope: People took to Twitter on Thursday night to share photos and videos of children and families writing heartwarming notes for Hillary Clinton outside her former headquarters

Touched: Jenna Lowenstein, a digital director at Hillary for America, explained that she was truly moved by what she saw in Brooklyn on Thursday night

'This is the America I fight for': Rob Flaherty, Hillary's digital communications manager, tweeted that the kids' messages reminded him of what makes America great

Jenna Lowenstein, a digital director at Hillary for America, explained that she was truly moved by what she saw in Brooklyn. 'I held it together all day,' she said. 'But some little Hillary supporters leaving notes broke my heart.'

Mina Markham, a senior engineer who worked for Hillary, said the scene inspired her to return to social media.

'Breaking my Twitter silence to share this: There are kids and families writing thank you notes in front of Hillary HQ,' she wrote.

Positive messages: In addition to notes thanking Hillary, people also wrote 'Love Trumps Hate' and 'Black Lives Matter'

In addition to notes thanking Hillary for her service, people also wrote 'Love Trumps Hate' and 'Black Lives Matter', sending messages of hope to a country that remains politically divided.

Abedin's future has more than just career uncertainty hanging over it.

Trump repeatedly said before his election that he would appoint a special prosecutor to look into Clinton's email scandal.

Separately, an FBI investigation into the Clinton Foundation has been under way for some time, looking at allegations of influence peddling.

Abedin's role in the foundation is likely to form a part of that probe, especially when she was paid by it and the State Department.

Damaging Wikileaks emails showed her receiving messages from Doug Band, Bill Clinton's right-hand man who effectively ran the foundation until around 2011 asking for State Department access for what he referred to as 'friends of ours' or 'good friend' - and who were also donors to the Foundation.

The discussion over the possibility of a pardon for Clinton herself is also uncomfortable as it would be likely to lead to calls for those who reported to her to be investigated more fully.

On the other hand, a pardon for 40-year-old Abedin would effectively end any possibility of her taking part in public life in the future.